Portland Timbers Scouting Report

The Portland Timbers (1-1-3, 6 pts.) are coming off a 2-0 win against the Houston Dynamo at JELD-WEN Field. Former Earthquakes forward Ryan Johnson scored a brace in that match to lead Portland to their first win of 2013. The win was also head coach Caleb Porter’s first in MLS. The first-year Portland coach spent his previous seven years with Akron where he led the Zips to the NCAA Tournament six times, including a national title in 2010. Portland has scored in each of its first five matches with their nine total goals the second-largest haul in the league. Johnson leads the squad with three tallies and Will Johnson is next with a pair. Diego Chara tops their charts with two assists. Designated Player Diego Valeri has just one goal, but has had his looks as well with a team-high 19 shots.

Of Note

- Steven Lenhart saw his first action of the season in the club’s 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The striker received a standing ovation when he subbed on for Ramiro Corrales in the 69th minute. He missed the club’s first five games while recovering from offseason knee surgery. His last appearance came in the Earthquakes’ final MLS Cup Playoff game against the LA Galaxy on Nov. 7, 2012 at Buck Shaw Stadium.

- Alan Gordon and Shea Salinas earned their first assists of 2013 with Chris Wondolowski’s 18th-minute strike in a 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 6 at Buck Shaw Stadium. Both players had seven assists in 2012, tying a career high for Gordon and setting a new mark for Salinas.

- The Earthquakes signed San Jose native Alexandre Gonzalez Emerson last week. Gonzalez, 21, was born in San Jose but moved to Mexico at age 12 to join the Necaxa club team. At 14, he was a full member of their academy squad. The crafty striker worked his way to the first team in 2012, but opted instead to pursue a roster spot with the Earthquakes. He suited up for San Jose during the 2013 preseason, scoring a pair of goals in the club’s first game, a 2-0 win against the Houston Dynamo on Jan. 29 in Tucson, Ariz.